Pistol Suppressors: The Ultimate Guide to Suppressing Your Handgun

Ever wondered why more shooters are opting to go quiet at the range? A quality pistol suppressor (or silencer, if you prefer) isn't just a cool accessory—it’s a complete upgrade to your range day. Less noise, better accuracy, and increased comfort are just a few reasons suppressors have become a must-have upgrade. Whether you're punching paper, training tactically, or competing, suppressors elevate every trigger pull. 

• Hearing Protection: Keep your ears safe by significantly cutting gunshot noise. 
• Enhanced Accuracy: Reduced kick and muzzle climb help your follow-up shots stay tight. 
• Great For Training: Whether you’re brand new to shooting or have decades of experience, shooting with a suppressor is an amazing training aid to help you get the fundamentals down.  
• Your Neighbors Will Appreciate You: Either at the local range or if you’re fortunate enough to be able to shoot on your own property, other folks in the area will be blown away by how quiet your setup is. 
• Enjoyment Factor: Simply put, suppressed pistols are just more fun to shoot. Try it, you won’t regret it!  

Think of a suppressor as a super-efficient muffler for your handgun. Inside, specialized baffles trap and cool gases, drastically lowering noise levels. Plus, precision machining and advanced materials mean you get reduced muzzle flash, less recoil, and improved accuracy—making every shot feel smoother.

Pistol suppressors are broken down into two primary categories, 9mm and 45 ACP. 9mm silencers are great for 9mm, .357, 38SPL, and .380 while the larger 45 ACP silencers are excellent for 45ACP, 40S&W, 10mm – 45 cal cans will also work from 9mm for added versatility.  

• 9mm Suppressors: The go-to option, perfect for most popular handgun rounds. 
• 45 ACP Suppressors: Ideal if you run bigger calibers; plus, they often work well with smaller rounds too. 

In most situations a larger silencer will have more sound suppression than a smaller one at the cost of weight, maneuverability, and concealability. If size isn't a concern, go big and show off just how quiet your handgun can be, or opt for something a little smaller for better stow-ability – even small suppressors are extremely effective for pistol calibers. 

• Compact: Best for concealed carry or tactical setups. 
• Full-Size: Maximum noise reduction, ideal for range shooting. 
• Modular: Adjustable lengths, so you get the best of both worlds.  

Pistol suppressors are available in a variety of materials each with their own strengths. Steel provides great strength, aluminum is incredibly lightweight, and titanium give good weight savings and durability. 

• Stainless Steel: Built tough and incredibly durable. Steel is very common in pistol suppressors, its proven and reliable. 
• Titanium: Lightweight yet robust—excellent balance for everyday shooting. 
• Aluminum: Ultra-light, perfect for casual shooting sessions. 

Most modern pistols like Glock, Sig, M&P and others use a tilting barrel design, where the barrel unlocks and tips upward to allow for the next round to feed smoothly. Because of this movement, they can have cycling issues – luckily booster assemblies exist to fix that issue. 

• Direct Thread: Silencers that are incredibly lightweight may not require a booster to cycle, typically suppressors less than 4oz. Also, pistols using a fixed barrel design will run great with a direct thread mount. 
• Booster (Nielsen Device): Necessary for most semi-auto pistols to cycle correctly. A booster, piston, and spring help decouple the weight of the silencer to allow your pistol to cycle smoothly. Most pistol suppressors will include a booster in the box – just match your pistol threads with the correct piston and you’re good to go. 

Check your pistol’s barrel threading. Common standards: 

• 9mm: 1/2×28 
• 40S&W: 9/16x24
• 45 ACP: .578×28 

Don't have a threaded barrel yet? Quality aftermarket barrels are easy to install and we carry them!  

Whether you’re using a direct thread mount or a piston and booster assembly, you’ll need to confirm that the mount matches your pistols threads.  

With the pistol unloaded, simply screw the suppressor onto the pistol barrel until its tight. Snug it down by hand, tools are not required. 

Take a few test shots and then verify the silencer is still tightly screwed onto the barrel. If the suppressor comes loose, using a wrap of Teflon tape on the barrel threads will provide a little extra security. 

Keep your suppressor running smoothly: 

• Follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines. 
• Regularly inspect for carbon buildup and lubricate the piston. 
• Store safely when not in use. 

Dead Air Suppressors: Dead Air Silencers was built on a simple promise: create the toughest, best-performing suppressors on the market. Known for robust construction,  sound performance, and customizable designs, Dead Air suppressors have earned a reputation for durability and reliability. Whether you're running a rimfire, pistol, or rifle, Dead Air delivers awesome silencers that are built to last and built to perform.

HUXWRX: HUXWRX (formerly OSS Suppressors) is famous for pioneering Flow-Through® Technology—a unique design that directs gas forward, away from the shooter. For pistols, that means less blowback, cleaner operation, and a smoother shooting experience—while increasing reliabilty. HUXWRX suppressors are engineered for maximum shooter comfort, helping new and seasoned shooters alike enjoy quieter, cleaner performance without compromise.

JK Armament: JK Armament specializes in modular, mission-configurable suppressors that let you fine-tune your setup for different hosts and environments. Their pistol silencers are designed to be ultra-lightweight, customizable in length, and easy to maintain—perfect for new suppressor owners who want flexibility without sacrificing durability or sound reduction. Built by a former Special Operations veteran, JK cans are tough, clever, and built for real-world use.

Rugged Suppressors: Rugged Suppressors lives up to its name by building some of the most tough, no-nonsense suppressors available today, most of their models are even rated for belt-fed firing schedules. They're known for their unconditional lifetime warranty and their commitment to making silencers that survive the harshest conditions without sacrificing sound performance. For pistol owners, Rugged suppressors offer simple, durable designs that are easy to use, easy to maintain, and ready for anything you throw at them.

SilencerCo: SilencerCo is one of the most recognized names in the suppressor world, known for pushing innovation and making silencers accessible to more shooters. From their early breakthroughs in modular pistol suppressors to modern advancements in materials and sound performance, SilencerCo has led the way in designing versatile, durable cans that fit a wide range of pistols. If you're looking for proven reliability and cutting-edge design, SilencerCo is always a solid choice.

Rugged Obsidian 9: The Rugged Obsidian 9 is built for shooters who want a tough, versatile, and outstandingly quiet pistol suppressor. Made with Rugged’s signature emphasis on durability, the Obsidian 9 features a modular design that lets you run it in a full-length or short configuration depending on your needs. It delivers impressive sound reduction across 9mm and smaller calibers, while staying easy to maintain and hard to break. Plus, it's backed by Rugged’s unconditional lifetime warranty, giving you complete confidence every time you hit the range.

SilencerCo Omega 9K: The SilencerCo Omega 9K is one of the most compact and rugged pistol suppressors you can buy. Designed for maximum maneuverability without sacrificing sound performance, the Omega 9K is ideal for shooters who want a shorter, tougher can that still runs impressively quiet. It’s full-auto rated, built from durable stainless steel and cobalt-6, and versatile enough for use on pistols, PCCs, and even subguns. Small but mighty, the Omega 9K is all about simplicity, strength, and everyday performance.

Dead Air Mojave 9:  The Dead Air Mojave 9 brings cutting-edge technology to the world of pistol suppressors. Built around a 3D-printed Triskelion™ baffle system, it delivers outstanding sound reduction with incredibly low back pressure—giving you better reliability and less gas in your face. Its modular design lets you run it full-length or compact, and tool-free disassembly makes cleaning and maintenance simple. Lightweight, quiet, and innovative, the Mojave 9 sets a new standard for performance on suppressed pistols.

JK Armament CCX 9:  The JK Armament CCX 9 is built with a mission-first mindset: lightweight, compact, and completely modular to fit your needs. It’s designed to stay out of the way—small enough that you almost forget it’s there until you pull the trigger and hear the difference. The CCX 9 doesn't require a booster, making it exceptionally reliable on a wide range of hosts. And for those wanting a little extra style, an exclusive FDE version is available only at Silencer Shop.

HUXWRX FLOW 9K: The HUXWRX FLOW 9K brings advanced engineering to pistol suppressors with its fully 3D-printed, Flow-Through® Technology design. By directing gas forward, it minimizes blowback, keeps your pistol running cleaner, and enhances shooter comfort—all while delivering excellent sound suppression. Lightweight, HUB-mount compatible, and tough enough for serious use, the FLOW 9K is a cutting-edge choice for anyone looking to maximize performance without compromise.

Picking the right ammo can help you get the most out of your pistol suppressor. There are two main types of pistol ammunition: subsonic and supersonic. Subsonic ammo travels below the speed of sound (around 1,100 –1,150 FPS), resulting in a very quiet shot. Supersonic ammo breaks the sound barrier and causes a sonic crack. 

• Subsonic Ammo: Optimal choice for truly quiet operation. These bullets are heavier and slower moving.  
  
  • 9mm Subsonic: Most 9mm subsonic ammunition will be 147 grains and heavier. 
  • 45ACP Subsonic: 45 ACP is almost always subsonic, the bullets start around 200 grains and go up from there.  
• Supersonic Ammo: Still offers significant sound reduction, great for casual shooting and range training.  

• Will a suppressor completely silence my pistol?
  • Not “Hollywood-silent”, but expect a significant reduction in sound. Shooting suppressed is the difference between slamming a door shut and closing it gently. 
• How long do suppressors last?
  • Quality suppressors easily handle thousands and thousands of rounds with basic care and often come with lifetime warranties. Quality suppressors, like those at Silencer Shop, will last forever with normal use. 
• Does a suppressor help accuracy?
  • Definitely. Less recoil and muzzle rise typically lead to tighter groups and improved shot placement. Suppressors are a cheat code to shooting better. 
• Can I use one suppressor for multiple pistols?
  • Absolutely! Multi-caliber suppressors with adapters can work across your collection. Generally, a suppressor with a larger bore can also suppress smaller bullets – you can shoot 9mm through a 45ACP for example. 
• Are suppressors difficult to use?
  • Nope. Modern suppressors mount and dismount quickly and effortlessly, often requiring no special tools. 

A good pistol suppressor is more than an accessory—it’s an upgrade you'll wish you’d made sooner. Whether you're improving accuracy, protecting your ears, or just making your range day more enjoyable, a suppressor is your new best friend. Check out today's top models, and take your shooting experience to the next level. Your ears (and your shooting buddies) will thank you!